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Ceaseless Staircase (Download)

for marimba and percussion quintet
Level: Med-Advanced
Duration: 5:15
Personnel: 6 players
State Lists: Indiana
Release Date: 2024
Product ID : TSPCE24-003DL
Price: $42.00
Item #: TSPCE24-003DL

Formats Available:


Description

M.C. Escher’s Ascending and Descending (1960) depicts a series of faceless figures trudging up and down never-ending stairs. The feelings of disorientation and monotony this visual work conjures in many have been quite cleverly bottled and made palatable in Ceaseless Staircase by Matthew Kilby.

Written for an experienced marimba soloist and percussion quintet, the piece employs various harmonic and rhythmic devices that depict a sense of unending routine; however, Kilby has accomplished this with sparks of musical energy that make it anything but tedious to perform or listen to.

Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.


Instrumentation

Solo Marimba — low A (optional low F)

Glockenspiel

2 Vibraphones

Percussion — bongos, djembe, pandeiro (or tambourine), ribbon crasher, snare drum (w/ brushes), water triangle (or triangle w/o water)

Reviews

This work for six performers is an exploration of confined space, inspired by M.C. Escher’s works. It evokes a sense of the mysterious, in which the listener is on a constant journey, both moving and going nowhere. The composition is quite literally musical painting, with lines that rise, lines that fall, harmonies that clash, and instruments that overlap yet complement one another. The timbral variety is a wonderful touch — rattan on vibraphone, pandeiro rather than tambourine, djembe with varied tones, water triangle, the (often underutilized!) ribbon crasher, etc. The clever use of repeated dissonant lines creates a melody that you recognize but can’t quite sing. And, while harmonic minor is implied, only accidentals are used, which adds to the feeling of movement: unconfined by a key signature, every bar/note literally spelled out, like the steps we’re meant to take while on a staircase.

Especially helpful are the included performance notes and suggested setup diagram. It’s worth noting that the setup is a rather circular one — perhaps yet another allusion to the repeating staircases of Escher’s vision. “Ceaseless Staircase” is a credit to Matthew Kilby’s creativity and technical skill as a composer. It’s perfect for a guest artist recital, and is an example of excellent small instrumentation with a big effect. Definitely add this one to the library.

—Cassie Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 4, August 2024

Description

M.C. Escher’s Ascending and Descending (1960) depicts a series of faceless figures trudging up and down never-ending stairs. The feelings of disorientation and monotony this visual work conjures in many have been quite cleverly bottled and made palatable in Ceaseless Staircase by Matthew Kilby.

Written for an experienced marimba soloist and percussion quintet, the piece employs various harmonic and rhythmic devices that depict a sense of unending routine; however, Kilby has accomplished this with sparks of musical energy that make it anything but tedious to perform or listen to.

Use of this product is governed by the license terms outlined here.


Instrumentation

Solo Marimba — low A (optional low F)

Glockenspiel

2 Vibraphones

Percussion — bongos, djembe, pandeiro (or tambourine), ribbon crasher, snare drum (w/ brushes), water triangle (or triangle w/o water)

Reviews

This work for six performers is an exploration of confined space, inspired by M.C. Escher’s works. It evokes a sense of the mysterious, in which the listener is on a constant journey, both moving and going nowhere. The composition is quite literally musical painting, with lines that rise, lines that fall, harmonies that clash, and instruments that overlap yet complement one another. The timbral variety is a wonderful touch — rattan on vibraphone, pandeiro rather than tambourine, djembe with varied tones, water triangle, the (often underutilized!) ribbon crasher, etc. The clever use of repeated dissonant lines creates a melody that you recognize but can’t quite sing. And, while harmonic minor is implied, only accidentals are used, which adds to the feeling of movement: unconfined by a key signature, every bar/note literally spelled out, like the steps we’re meant to take while on a staircase.

Especially helpful are the included performance notes and suggested setup diagram. It’s worth noting that the setup is a rather circular one — perhaps yet another allusion to the repeating staircases of Escher’s vision. “Ceaseless Staircase” is a credit to Matthew Kilby’s creativity and technical skill as a composer. It’s perfect for a guest artist recital, and is an example of excellent small instrumentation with a big effect. Definitely add this one to the library.

—Cassie Bunting
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 4, August 2024



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